What's it like finding out Denzel Washington wants you to direct his next movie? It's like getting a phone call from Muhammad Ali or Michael Jordan saying they want you to coach them.
Interpretation
Receiving recognition from an esteemed figure can be both exciting and validating.
In this quote, Antoine Fuqua compares the exhilarating feeling of being sought after by a legendary actor like Denzel Washington for directing a film to the honor and responsibility of being contacted by sports icons like Muhammad Ali or Michael Jordan for coaching. This highlights the significance of being recognized by peers and leaders in one's field, indicating that such moments validate a person's skill and talent.
In practice
In a motivational speech to aspiring filmmakers, this quote can emphasize the value of being acknowledged by industry leaders.
We've been fighting our whole lives to say we're just human beings like everyone else. When we start separating ourselves in our work, that doesn't help the cause. I've heard it for years: 'How do you feel being a black filmmaker?' I'm not a black filmmaker, I'm a filmmaker. I'm a black man, I have black children. But I'm just a filmmaker.
You have to feed your soul and spirit, but you also have to be a professional and remember the business that you're in. Everything is not your passion project.
I think men under pressure - I mean, that's what brings out the worst and the best of us. I like to explore that quite a bit in my characters because I don't see a lot of it on the screen that moved me like the films that I grew up with - that are honest, at least, about honest emotions and honest heroism.
Sail on silver girl_x000D_ Sail on by_x000D_ Your time has come to shine_x000D_ All your dreams are on their way_x000D_ See how they shine_x000D_ Oh, if you need a friend_x000D_ I'm sailing right behind.
America can take man to the moon, and America can take men to Mars - and beyond.
I want to be a force for real good. In other words. I know that there are bad forces, forces that bring suffering to others and misery to the world, but I want to be the opposite force. I want to be the force which is truly for good.
O that my tongue were in the thunder's mouth! Then with passion would I shake the world.
I don't mind being called a weirdo. There are a lot of people in hip-hop who are probably never going to get what I do. But, by just being myself, I end up touching a lot more people who might never have paid much attention to a female rapper.
I definitely intend to create my own work in the future so that we don't have to keep saying, We don't have work for black women.'
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